Types of Fabric Used in Clothes

Historically, people have made clothes from all kinds of materials. Over thousands and thousands of years, people have come up with inventive clothing solutions for the appropriate occasion, event or climate. Fabricthe cloth made by weaving, knitting or felting fibersforms the foundation of almost all clothing, and the material used can either be either man-made or derived from nature. Here are some of the more common types of fabric.

Cotton

Cottona soft, white, and fluffy material that grows in the protective capsule of Gossypiumplantsis the most popular clothing fabric, for several reasons. It is very heat resistant, washes and dries well, has great elasticity, and feels comfortable on the skin all year round. It also benefits from the invention of the modern mechanical cotton gin, which lowered its cost of production and consequently skyrocketed availability and demand. Today cotton is used in virtually every type of clothing.

Denim

Cotton is the chief material used to make a sturdy material called denim. Typically blue, denim is tough enough to keep it from draping or stretching too much. As a result, it is excellent for making jeans. It is also used for making any clothing expected to be worn by highly active people or those with substantial exposure to elements such as water, heat, mud, or dirt. Denim can be found on tons of useful things, like boots, athletic shoes, swimsuits, and overalls.

Wool

Primarily obtained from the coats of sheep, wool is perhaps best known for its warmth. Because of this, it is often used for manufacturing clothes that keep people warm in the colder months. It is also very elastic and versatile. Although sheep are the main source of wool, there are other animals that provide the fabric, such as cashmere from goats and angora from rabbits.

Silk

Silk is a fibrous material that several insects produce. However, it is the stuff from moth caterpillars that is the most widely used in textile manufacturing. Popular for its lightweight, delicate, and slippery feel, silk has a shimmery appearance. Its high level of absorbency and its airy properties make it perfect for making light clothing suitable for wearing during the summer or warmer weather.

Leather

Derived from the tanning of animal skin and hide, leather is a stiff and very durable material. In the clothing industry, it is primarily used on coats, work gloves, shoes, belts, and boots. Most leather is derived from cattle. However, other animals, like deer and lamb, provide the material for more expensive and delicate types of leather.

Fur

Although fur is similar to leather in that it comes from animal hides, it retains the hairs; with leather, the hair is removed. One of the oldest materials used in clothing, fur is considered by some to be luxurious, with its use for the most expensive coats. Indeed, it has become a synonym for a type of coat. For animal lovers, faux fur is available, being made from strictly man-made and cruelty-free materials.

Nylon

Invented a few years before World War II, nylon was actually conceived as a synthetic replacement for silk, which was becoming scarce at the time. In fact, much like silk, it has a shiny appearance, and it is also elastic and easy to wash. Today it is more commonly used for women’s clothing, particularly lingerie, sweaters, and socks.

Spandex

No clothing material has more elasticity than spandex, which was invented soon after World War II ended. A synthetic fiber, it is now primarily used for athletic gear, which requires great stretching capabilities for comfort and fit.

This article was contributed by Logan Kelso, a writer who hopes to educate and entertain you. He writes this on behalf of Lupo Clothing, your number one choice when looking for quality clothes! Check out their website today and see how they can help you!

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